Michael DeSoi's Primarily Philadelphia Area Conrail Photos

Michael DeSoi was born and raised in Philadelphia. He spent his "formative" years watching the Reading RR running down American Street. He started active railfanning in the summer of 1976, just in time for Big Blue.

Although Conrail GP-30's #2235 & 2195 appear to be pushers, they will actually be the head end power on this CARU {CAmden - RUtherford}. The train will enter the ex PRR high line where the units that are on the actual rear of the train will cut off, the train will then proceed down the Belmont connector to the Ex Reading line through, West Falls, Norristown, Abrams and Reading the head to Rutherford. pictured westbound at Frankford junction in Philadelphia, PA. September 13, 1979

Conrail N5C (Ex PC, PRR ) #23166, N4A (Ex Reading) #18807, and Penn Central N8 #23238 are in the middle of a freight train on the High Line next to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, PA. Sometime in 1977

Conrail GP-35 #2391 (EX Penn Central, Exx New York Central, note the "NEW" bleeding through and lack of dynamic brakes) leads a train out of the Port Ricmhond yard at "A St. in Philadelphia, Pa. May 10, 1979

They've been owned by Conrail for a little over a year, I guess they havent seen the shop in a while. Still lettered for Penn Central, E-44's #'s 4407 & 4433 are on the "High Line" in front of the now gone powerhouse at 30th St. in Philadelphia, PA. April 4, 1977

Conrail C30-7 #6601 leads a westbound CAAL (Camden-Allentown) at Frankford Junction. The extra marker on the porch was for when use when the power had to run around trains on the High Line before the Park Connection was built.
Date: 2/27/1986 Location: Philadelphia, PA.

Conrail C36-7 #6623 leads a train from Saucon yard toward Bethlehem, PA. Taken at the Hayes St. crossing. This shot is no longer possible as the track has been long abandoned, and most of the steel mill is now a casino parking lot. Bethlehem, PA. March 10, 1985